Two men arrested on drug charges in Beverly

Detectives from the Beverly Police Drug Control Unit arrested two local men and took over 200 grams of cocaine off the streets following a brief investigation over the weekend.

Anthony James Augusta, 24, of Beverly, was arrested and charged with failing to stop for police, a window tint violation, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, possession with intent to distribute Class A heroin, and Class B cocaine, trafficking in cocaine and two counts each of possession of firearms without an FID card, possession of firearms with defaced numbers, and possession of firearms ammo without an FID card.

Also arrested was Kevin R. Sanchez, 23, of Beverly, who was charged with interfering with a police officer, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute Class B cocaine and two counts each of possession of firearms without an FID, possession of firearms with defaced numbers and possession of ammo without an FID.

Augusta was arrested following a brief motor vehicle pursuit and Sanchez was arrested during a subsequent search warrant execution.

Detectives attempted to stop a black Honda belonging to Sanchez following a brief investigation into possible drug activity. As detectives attempted to approach the Honda following a traffic stop, the operator sped off, leading police on a brief pursuit with the Honda at one point traveling down the wrong side of Cabot Street before finally stopping in the middle of the intersection of Bartlett Street and Lovett Street.

Detectives placed a male operator into custody. The male operator had an identification belonging to Sanchez but, during the booking process his true identity was found to be Augusta.

Prior to the Honda stopping, the operator threw an item from the vehicle which was recovered by detectives. The item, a satchel type carrier contained baggies with several corner twists believed to be heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and over $200 in cash. A search of the Honda produced more heroin, cash and several cell-phones.

Following the arrest of Augusta, detectives obtained a search warrant for a Cabot Street residence where they found Sanchez. Upon executing the search warrant, detectives recovered over $2400 in cash, over 200 grams of cocaine, two firearms, each of which had defaced serial numbers and several cell phones or electronic communication devices.